Tech

Microsoft Reveals the Surface Pro 2

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 2 at its event on Monday, the successor to its first-generation tablet that won kudos for its design approach as well as its bold attempt to dislodge the iPad's hold on the market.

While we now know that the Surface Pro didn’t fare as well as Microsoft might have hoped, the updated version offered several new features that may spark new interest in the company’s tablet efforts.

From the outset it was clear that Microsoft listened to user complaints about the Surface Pro’s battery life, as the Surface Pro 2 reportedly offers an amazing 75% improvement in battery life. The battery upgrade instantly makes the Surface Pro 2 a device better suited for heavy usage throughout the day rather than sparingly in battery-conscious spurts.

In addition to the overall battery improvement, using the device’s added power cover will effectively add 2.4-times the battery life to the tablet. The device’s battery life will also be helped by the addition of Intel’s Haswell processor.

Like Microsoft’s first unveiling of the Surface line of tablets, the company still has a lot of pride in its work on the device’s kickstand, which received a small modification that allows it to be adjusted into two different positions.

The new tablet will also get an updated docking station sporting four USB ports (three USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port) as well as audio in and out ports, an Ethernet port, and a mini Display port.

Yet another hardware upgrade comes in the area of keyboards with the unveiling of the Type Cover 2, which will sell for $129.99, is backlit, comes in several colors, and draws its power from the tablet. The new, thinner Touch Cover 2, which will sell for $119.99, is also backlit, and will also be offered in a variety of colors.

In the past, one of the key differences between the Surface Pro and the iPad touted by Microsoft was the ability to use the tablet as a full-fledged productivity device. Microsoft has now doubled down on this focus on productivity by including the ability to process raw 6K video footage sent directly into the Surface Pro 2.

Offered with hard drive configurations of 64GB and 128GB, the aggressive features included in the upgraded tablet indicate that Microsoft has no plans to step away from the tablet wars, despite a somewhat lackluster beginning. However, those looking to give the new hardware a spin will have to be prepared to pay a premium as the device will sell for $899, with pre-orders beginning on September 24 and initial retail availability in the U.S., Canada, Australia, China and parts of Europe beginning October 22.

Microsoft Surface Event

Panos Panay

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Press

Press awaits access to Microsoft's Surface Event in New York City.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Lines outside of Microsoft's Surface event

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Surface

The audience awaits the unveiling of the Surface Pro 2 in New York City.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Panos Panay Reveals Surface Pro 2

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Surface Pro 2

Faster than 95% of all ultrabooks on the market, Surface Pro 2 is a 75% improvement in battery life.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Surface Pro 2

The Surface Pro 2 offers an amazing 75% improvement in battery life.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Panos Panay

"The point of this product is to work fast. The need of this product is to work all the time."

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Panos Panay

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Office on Surface 2

Getting the entire, proper Office suite on the Surface is a big deal -- this was one of the biggest things holding it back.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

SkyDrive on Surface 2

The new Surface 2 comes with 200GB of free SkyDrive storage.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Skype on Surface 2

Microsoft is playing up video chat functionality and is offering free international Skype calling and hotspot Wi-Fi when you buy a Surface 2 or Pro 2.

Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani

Skype on Surface 2

Microsoft added a third-inch sensor on the front camera, which will help lighten up surroundings when using the webcam.

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